Buffs defeat Orediggers in season opener, 6-3

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The West Texas A&M Buffaloes defeated the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 6-3 in their season opener Friday afternoon. The Buffs were powered by a strong pitching performance from Lone Star Conference Co-Pitch of the Year senior Brooks Trujillo and a three run blast in the bottom of the fifth inning by shortstop Roberto Carrasco.

The Buffs, who were tabbed to win the LSC Championship before the season began, rode strong pitching performances from both their starter and their relievers. Brooks Trujillo pitched six innings tallying four strikeouts and allowing only two earned runs. Trujillo said that his performance wasn’t necessarily a result of what the other team was showing him or the strong winds that were present throughout the game, but just him playing his game.

“They didn’t really do anything that gave me an edge, and the wind wasn’t really a factor other than it was cold out there,” Trujillo said. “Other than that I just did what I do best. Had my teammates behind me and got some offense.”

The Buffs pitching game did falter near the end. The Orediggers loaded up the bases in the top of the ninth with two outs before senior relief pitcher Kyle Tinius came into the game to pitch against the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference preseason Player of the Year Nate Olinger. Tinius was able to get Olinger out with a ground out. Head coach Matt Vanderburg said that though the ninth inning almost got out of hand, Tinius was able to salvage it.

“I thought [Luke] Wiechec made some really good pitches. They hit a ball right on the line, and it’s just tough. Those are breaks you’re going to get some times,” Vanderburg said. “The positive was Tinius came out and got their best player, RMAC preseason player of the year, out and it could just be one swing and they take the lead. It was good to see Tinius come out and throw a strike and get the out.”

The highlight of the game was the three run homer hit by Carrasco in the bottom of the fifth. Carrasco said that not too much was going through his head on the homerun, he was just trying to stay calm within himself.

“I was trying to stay within myself, not get to big man,” Carrasco said. “They were playing a hell of a defense, so I just wanted to put it into play man.”

The Buffs aren’t done for the weekend, as they’ll look for a second win to start the season as they play No. 11 St. Edwards on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.